Four Sonoma County teens compete for ‘Dairy Princess’ crown

Four Sonoma County teens are once again vying for the title of “Dairy Princess,” and the opportunity to serve as the ambassador for the local dairy industry.

Now in its 59th year, the District 3 Dairy Princess Contest and Ball, an annual event co-sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board and the North Bay Dairy Women, gives young women the chance to act as a representative for local farmers and producers in Lake, Marin, Sonoma, Napa, Solano and Mendocino counties. The competitors in this year’s April 9 event, themed “Dairy’s Time to Shine,” are Adrianna Begley, Carly Olufs, Megan Groverman and Katie Volpi.

A panel of judges will choose the contestant they feel will best represent the industry and the winner will be crowned by the outgoing princess, Connie Jones of Santa Rosa.

Tickets to the event at the Petaluma Veteran’s Memorial Building are $30 for adults and $15 for children, and can be purchased only in advance at John’s Dairy Supply and Jay Palms in Petaluma.

Adrianna Begley

Adrianna Begley, 17, is a senior at Santa Rosa High School who wants to act as an advocate for the industry while educating the future generation about its importance.

“The dairy life and agriculture in general provides me with a sense of purpose,” she wrote in her application. “This industry provides with hands-on experiences that I will cherish forever and I hope I can provide those experience with others.”

The daughter of Jube and Sally Begley, she plans to study agriculture education and animal science at Oklahoma State University. She plays softball and is involved in Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, serves as the Future Farmers of America chapter and section president and teaches agriculture at the Kid Street Learning Center.

Megan Groverman

Megan Groverman, 17, a senior at Casa Grande High School, says she enjoys tending to her family farm and eating the homegrown bounty.

“I was raised in a family that plants vegetables each year, raises our own pork and harvest our own fruit,” she wrote in her application. “However, many families are not as connected to their food. I feel that bridging the gap between producer and consumer is a vital step to improving this connection.”

The daughter of Bill and Christina Groverman, she plans to attend California Polytechnic State University, San Lois Obispo to study dairy science. She works seasonally at Clover Stornetta Farms and serves as the vice president of the United Anglers of Casa Grande and as the president of the Liberty 4-H club, and is a member of the Casa Grande and National honors societies, and is involved with the California Scholarship Federation.

Katie Volpi

Katie Volpi, an 18-year-old Petaluma High School senior hopes to one day manage her family dairy while bringing new ideas to the industry.

“I love agriculture and I want to have the opportunity to make a difference in the way people perceive it,” she wrote in her contest application.

The daughter of John and Gianna Volpi works at the Volpi Dairy and loves playing softball. She’s been involved in the Future Farmers of America, volunteering at Redwood Empire Food Bank and at events such as the American Graffiti Car Show. She says her greatest accomplishment has been getting accepted to multiple colleges, including Oklahoma State, University of West Virginia and Chico State. She plans to study agribusiness at one of the three universities.

Carly Olufs

Carly Olufs is a 17-year-old Petaluma High School senior who says her love for the dairy industry was kindled when she got her first Holstein heifer at age 10. She’s been watching the Dairy Princess contest since she was child, and hopes to win the crown the help bolster awareness of the industry.

“I would like to help today’s consumers become more aware of where their food comes from and can share the story of how the milk from my cows shows up in their milk case at the grocery store,” she wrote in her application.

The daughter of John and Paula Olufs, she plans to attend Oklahoma State University to study animal science and business. She’s works at Barlas Feeds Inc. and serves as Petaluma Future Farmers of America chapter vice president and is a member of Liberty 4-H club. She’s also involved with the Redwood Empire and California Jr. Holstein Associations.